Sisolak: Reopening businesses will be incremental process

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada' reported death toll from the coronavirus outbreak continues to rise and Gov. Steve Sisolak says reopening businesses and relaxing other restrictions will be an incremental process.

The state Department of Health and Human Service’s website as of Friday morning listed 137 deaths and reported that more than 3,320 people statewide have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 respiratory illness.

Sisolak said Thursday night he intends to detail next week some criteria he’ll use but said any changes will be incremental with its pace dictated by circumstances.

“It's not as easy as flipping a switch," he said at the state capital building in Carson City.

The Democratic governor insisted he won’t succumb to pressure from critics demanding reopening of casinos and nonessential businesses for short-term economic gain or provide a specific timeline of when that might happen.

“I’m putting the lives of my fellow Nevadans ahead of dollars,” Sisolak said as the mayor of Las Vegas and others continued their criticism of the extended closures that began in mid-March.

Most people with the virus experience symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems can face severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.